Consider a Hypothetical Gene in Mice Called the Can Gene

Multiple Choice

Consider a hypothetical gene in mice called the can gene. The mutant form of this gene causes skin cancer and behaves in a dominant manner. A mouse with skin cancer was studied to determine the location of the mutation in the can gene. However, when scientists sequenced both maternal and paternal copies of the gene, they could not identify any mutation in the gene. What is a possible explanation for the mouse's skin cancer?

A) One of the copies of the can gene could be hypermethylated and thus transcriptionally inactive in the mouse.
B) One of the copies of the can gene could have an inversion that renders it nonfunctional.
C) Both copies of the can gene must have the exact same mutation and, therefore, the sequencing reaction could not detect the location of the mutation.
D) One of the copies of the can gene could be deacetylated and thus transcriptionally inactive in the mouse.
E) The only possible explanation is that it is a different gene at a different locus that is causing the skin cancer in the mouse.